Gold Zanzibar

Zanzibar is an island famous for its excellent beaches, but none of them can touch the beach that sits in front of Gold Zanzibar. So imagine our disappointment on discovering that Gold Zanzibar, new as of 2012, can’t match its dream location. The rooms, well-laid out and with good views of the beach and sea, are large but the decoration is slightly tasteless. The pool, although enormous, is salt water and large speakers constantly play annoying loud chill-out music.

Gold Zanzibar - The Facts

Kendwa beach is undoubtedly Zanzibar’s best. It is twice as wide as its nearest competitor and a beautiful coral white. For years there was a vacant plot of land waiting to be developed but newly built Gold Zanzibar fails to take advantage of this trump card. That said, if it wasn’t for the loud music, this would be one of Zanzibar’s best beach and pool areas. The pool, although salt water, is enormous and blends nicely into the beach.

The rooms, rising up the hill away from sea, are large but slightly bare and coloured a slightly off-putting gold. Each has a widescreen TV, balcony, very large double bed and a well-appointed bathroom. The luxury villas down on the beach are some of the least tasteful hotel rooms you will ever come across, but they are sitting right on the beach and each has its own private jacuzzi.

The service and food are fine, and the resort has a spa, fitness centre and a PADI dive centre. It even has great sunsets, a rarity on the island. But ultimately you cannot look past the fact that it’s all slightly wrong. Hopefully this will change in time. Not the best place for a Tanzania honeymoon